Volunteer recognition dinner held
Ivan Goodhand, Allyssa Adams, and Stephen Hayman were presented with Volunteer of the Year awards at the 4th Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner hosted by the Kawartha Lakes Sport and Recreation Council. The Optimist Club of Lindsay was also recognized as Volunteer Organization of the Year for their collaborative approach to providing quality recreation opportunities for any child that wants to play.
The event was held Wednesday, Nov. 7th at the Lindsay Golf and Country Club.
Goodhand was recognized for his extensive involvement in the community. With at least 10 sports organizations benefiting from Ivan’s involvement over the years, he is an exceptional role model for community involvement and active living. Ivan takes part, gives back, gets involved and always does so with the most positive of attitudes and the kindest of cooperation.
Adams was commended for her long-term commitment to minor baseball organizations. Allyssa works tirelessly to fulfill her personal belief that communities are built on volunteers. In addition to sport leadership positions (secretary, communications officer), Allyssa is a role model to many of the girls she coaches and to the youth she encounters both in her volunteer positions and full-time job at the Boys and Girls Club. Although Allyssa does not have a child participating in the sport groups she volunteers for, she leads by example with a commitment to positively impacting the children and youth of our community.
Hayman earned special distinction this year being the first person to receive two nominations in one year. He is the backbone of the Kawartha Lakes Soccer Club with 10 years of volunteer service, as a coach, mentor, and board member. Described as hard working and dedicated, but one who never looks for any recognition, he’s “the coach that everyone loves because he makes things fun, plays by the rules and in the end, makes them all better people and athletes. Not just the kids but the adults and the organization as a whole.”
The winners were chosen from an impressive list of nominees that also included Joanne Graham (Doctor George Hall PS), Stephanie McDonald (Lindsay Rugby Football Club), Kellie Hayman (Lindsay Lynx), Kerri Phillips (Little Britain Merchants), Deborah Smith (Kawartha Cycling Club), and Randy West (Central Ontario Wolves).
The Volunteer Organization of the Year Award had the highest number of nominations to date with the Fenelon Falls Pickleball Association and the Central Ontario Wolves also vying for the award.
To complement the awards, the short film Kickstart was screened. The film documents the experiences of Street Soccer Canada team members as they prepared for and participated in the Homeless World Cup. Rich Fatoussi, the film’s producer, and Paul Gregory, the founder of Street Soccer Canada were both on hand to discuss the film and answer questions. Street Soccer programs provide a foundation of community and peer support through recreation for homeless individuals in communities across Canada. The Homeless World Cup is an annual international tournament for Street Soccer participants across the world.
The KLSRC is a volunteer organization committed to the enhancement and promotion of sport, recreation and healthy active living opportunities for all citizens of the City of Kawartha Lakes. Among its goals are to support the growth of sport and recreation in CKL by providing a network for sport organizations to share resources and expertise.
The 4th Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner was made possible with thanks to the HKPR District Health Unit, event sponsors Hutton Angelo LLP and Arbor Tech Tree Care and Service Inc., award sponsors Kawartha Lakes Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic and Traditional Styles, Custom Building and Design and supporting sponsors the Lindsay Golf and Country Club, Creighton Docks & Boat Lifts, Fresh Fuell, and Lindsay Sportsline.
For more information, or to get involved in this positive work, contact KLSRC co-ordinator Gary Pearson at 705-324-4493 ext. 237 or by email at .
